Once in the bluest of moons comes a scent that literally takes your breath away and magically transports you to a time where Heritage, Empire and Portraiture establish the order of the day. BlackBookAsia Group’s Founder & CEO Gabriel Tan’s current favourite from the Penhaligon’s Portraits Collection, we present to you The Inimitable William Penhaligon.

This is the story of a cornish barber, William Penhaligon who travelled to London and opened up shop next to London’s finest tailors. Who received the royal warrant and trimmed the Shah of Persia’s beard. At a time when one’s toilette was of primordial concern and to be a gentleman was an affair of great application.

Victoria was Queen, antiseptic was making its first appearance — and ankles were considered titillating stuff. This took place in the decade after the opening of the Suez Canal and the founding of the London Fire Brigade. As well as the publishing of Dicken’s Great Expectations and Alice in Wonderland, War and Peace and Das Kapital.

When Mr Penhaligon first made cologne (for royals and nobility,) he had set up in Mayfair, (the centre of Old-World civility). Queen Victoria, and the Shah of Persia soon wore his scent, and the request for a Royal Warrant had swift regal consent. This was 1870, and the world was discovering what would one day be his legacy.

Highly recommended by BlackBookAsia, The Inimitable William Penhaligon is a perfume for gentlemen. Majestic and chic. Like a good friend, stimulating and comforting in equal measure. Like great art and music, uplifting. Composed in expert, meticulous detail, but with strong, confident brush strokes William Penhaligon´s own scent. Beyond distinguished. A timeless classic, since 2020. Created with Vetiver, one of perfumery´s master ingredients. Earthy, warm and fresh. Woven inside an Oriental structure, one of perfumery´s mistresses of sophistication.

Woody Oriental
Bergamot & Jasmine – Vetiver, Incense & Cedar Wood – Sandalwood & Ambrox